LINCOLN, NEB. – "Following the release of an audit done by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on protocols surrounding animal care at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, it is clear the protocols at USMARC are not as portrayed by The New York Times article which led to the USDA investigation of animal care at the USMARC facilities.”

“Far too often, animal rights extremists and their agents use unsubstantiated claims of abuse and neglect as a way to portray those involved with animal agriculture in a negative light. These tactics are meant to harm the reputation and perception of animal agriculture in hopes of dissuading individuals from consuming meat protein. It is critical that the record be set straight when such claims are falsely made, which is clearly the case at USMARC as evidenced by the findings of the OIG report.”

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service and advocacy efforts. More than 61,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.